Published the week of the budget, “Powering Good Growth” suggests that investing in activities such as repair, remanufacturing, reuse, recycling and biorefining can help spread economic opportunity across the UK.
In 2024, the circular economy sectors supported almost 559,000 jobs across the UK, generating more than £53 billion in GVA.
Catherine David, WRAP CEO, said “There are an additional 550,000 new jobs that the UK could create if we take steps to grow the circular economy – this could be worth £93 billion GVA to the UK’s economy by 2035.
“By creating the right long-term policy and investment environment, we can support key sectors to grow, with new jobs in repair, reuse and remanufacturing.
“Not only will these actions create economic growth, they will strengthen the UK’s resilience, making our businesses and institutions less reliant on imported resources, as well as making positive contributions to people’s living standards.
“If we embed circularity into the UK’s growth agenda, the benefits will be felt for generations. Our report is essential reading for policymakers and industry leaders.”
The WRAP report updated its 2019 assessment and suggests that even a modest progress towards a more circular economy could unlock almost £4 billion of additional economic value and support around 36,000 jobs across the UK by 2035.
Growth of circular economy jobs ‘remains static’
WRAP’s updated analysis shows total circular economy employment increased from 557,639 jobs in 2019 to 558,886 jobs in 2024, indicating that employment has effectively remained static.
Wales recorded the strongest growth between 2019 and 2024, with jobs increasing from 24,075 to 26,600 – approximately 10.5% growth.
Scotland experienced strong growth, with employment increasing from 49,090 jobs to 53,600 jobs, an increase of around 9.2%.
Northern Ireland recorded modest growth, increasing from 11,159 jobs to 11,511 jobs, an increase of 3.2%.
England saw employment fall from 473,315 jobs to 467,175 jobs in 2024, a decline of approximately 1.3%.
WRAP concluded that the situation in Wales and Scotland suggested that long-term policy commitment and institutional support may contribute to creating conditions that favour growth.
Recommendations to government
To accelerate future expansion, WRAP made the following recommendations to governments and businesses:
- Build on lessons from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to aid delivery of a Circular Economy Growth Plan for England. The UK Government’s commitment to a Circular Economy Growth Plan is key to ensuring benefits are delivered across England.
- Embed circular economy objectives within industrial and economic policy. The circular economy should be recognised first as an economic opportunity that leads to environmental outcomes.
- Strengthen support for repair, refurbishment and reuse. Repair and reuse sit at the heart of circular economy ambitions as they keep products in use for longer and retain more embedded value within the economy.
- Improve measurement and reporting of circular economy activity. Particularly activities difficult to measure using existing economic classifications, including remanufacturing and emerging circular business models.
The full report can be viewed here.
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